Stanford Law School wants students to have the opportunity to advise charitable and budding micro-businesses.  The law school has just created two new clinics, the Nonprofit and General Counsel Clinic, which will both be launched in fall 2007. 

International law firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has pledged to donate $250,000 to support a teaching fellowship at the law school’s clinics over the span of the next five years.

Participating students will be part of the Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe Fellowship and will build the necessary legal skills required in the non-profit sect.  The clinics will train students to be general counsels for nonprofit as well as for-profit organizations.

Professor Larry Marshall, director of clinical education and associate dean for public service, commented on the new law clinic, saying, “Public service and pro bono practice takes place in many arenas--in the boardroom as well as the courtroom.”

Stanford Law School wants to revamp its second- and third-year curriculum into a multidimensional degree program, which will encompass the study of other disciplines with “team-oriented, problem-solving techniques, and […] expanded clinical training.”  The establishment of this clinic is a step taken in that direction.

The first of its kind in Stanford’s history, this transactional program will aid students who are pursuing corporate practice careers.  The clinic director, in association with the Orrick Teaching Fellowship, will help students to establish charitable bodies and to advise clients on corporate governance matters, disclosures, and general counsel services.  It will also help students to address social problems through an entrepreneurial approach.
 
Orrick’s gift is an exciting opportunity for Stanford’s law clinics.  Orrick is happy to support a program that will have a positive impact on the community.  It will also help students sharpen their skills in transactional practice areas.

The clinic is a mutually win-win situation for both the students as well as the law firm attorneys.  Students will learn how to become thoughtful, skilled, and ethical lawyers; and non-profit organizations will benefit from students’ high-quality legal services.